As the larger landmass of the two major islands in New Zealand, the South Island (Te Waipounamu) is highly renowned for its majestic natural landscapes given its number of breathtaking glaciers, mountains and lakes. (Things to do in South Island)

Though you might be wondering now: “What’s the difference between the two islands?” Well… the way I see it, the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) holds a greater deal of Māori culture and geothermal wonders — whereas the South Island is predominantly packed with rugged wilderness and thrilling adventures!

That being said, there is a wide range of spectacular activities that you can check off on your bucket list here. In fact, to make it hassle-free for you, I have listed below the top must-do’s and must-see’s for your New Zealand adventure in the South Island! The best part…? You can do most of these epic activities if you join a road trip adventure with Wild Kiwi!